Clubs
Signature Events for Scholarships Showcase Clubs’ Support
Two of the largest Carolina Clubs’ recent raised during an evening at the N.C.
fundraising events — both featuring Museum of History that included cocktails,
Chancellor Holden Thorp ’ 86 — raised heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and a
large sums of money to go toward scholar- speech by Thorp. Items up for auction
ships for UNC students. included basketballs signed by the UNC
The Charlotte Carolina Club, which has basketball teams, tickets to sporting events,
raised $36,500 for scholarships through its pieces of Woollen Gym’s original floor,
annual William R. Davie Dinner since celebrity-guided tours of sports venues and
2001, raised more than $11,000 in the past various other Carolina-themed items.
year alone as 275 people attended the Morgan said she was appreciative of the
November event. Charlotte club’s assistance in starting the
The Wake County Club, which started Wake club’s scholarship program. Now she
CLIFTON BARNES ’ 82
its Old Well Celebration scholarship pro- wants to pass on what she has learned to
Senior Jessica Taylor, who has benefited from scholarship
gram in 2007 with the assistance of the other clubs.
money raised by the Wake County Carolina Club, admires the
Charlotte club, raised $12,000 in its first “We believe the Old Well Celebration is
Old Well-shaped cake at the club’s Old Well Celebration
fundraiser in October.
year and more than $12,000 at the second an event that can be successfully replicated
event in October. serving students such as Taylor is a top pri- by other Carolina Clubs,” she said. “We are
Carolina Clubs are encouraged to sup- ority at Carolina. working with the Washington, D.C., club as
port UNC students from their areas “Our focus is on the people of the they begin plans for a 2009 scholarship
through local club scholarships. Funds are University,” Thorp said. “We need to have event.”
raised by Carolina alumni and friends, and the best students from North Carolina and The Charlotte club also encourages
the scholarships are administered by the beyond. This scholarship program helps other clubs to put together similar events.
UNC Office of Scholarships and Student keep Jessica and others in our University. “The Davie Dinner concept is an event
Aid. Twenty-one GAA-sponsored local She’s a great symbol of what we want to that can be held by clubs of all sizes,” said
Carolina Clubs provided scholarships do. Eric J. Locher ’ 78, Davie Dinner co-chair.
totaling $36,640 for 36 students for the “Students are the reason I work at the “We would certainly like for all UNC
2008-09 academic year, a record amount of University.” clubs to institute an annual Davie Dinner-
money and club and student participation. Seven students are receiving scholarship type event. It can be the signature event for
(A list of current recipients is online at money this year from the Charlotte club. each city, town or region.”
alumni.unc.edu/clubscholars). Another club “We are pleased that a number of our Speakers at the Charlotte event over the
provided a different type of scholarship: scholarships have been utilized to fulfill years have included former UNC System
The Los Angeles Carolina Club supported Carolina Covenant scholarships,” said Andy presidents Bill Friday ’ 48 (LLB) and C.D.
UNC students participating in the UNC- Pike ’04, Charlotte club leader. Spangler ’ 54, broadcast journalist David
Hollywood Media Internship. The Carolina Covenant is a financing Brinkley, chancellors James Moeser and
Scholarship recipient Jessica Taylor, a sen- commitment to students from low-income Michael Hooker ’ 69, and former governor
ior from Wake County, attended the Old families. The program pledges 100 percent and senator Terry Sanford ’ 39. Besides din-
Well Celebration as a guest of the Wake of the financial need using grants and ner registrations, the event brings in the
club and was introduced to the crowd. She scholarships combined with a 10- to 12- bulk of its support from those who donate
and three others each received $3,000 to hour-per-week commitment to a work- at the host ($250) and sponsor ($150) levels,
attend Carolina this school year. study job. This enables the students to earn as well as other special contributions.
“This scholarship certainly enabled me a degree without having to borrow money. “Each event has provided a very unique
to finish my last year at Carolina,” said The Covenant awards are made after the opportunity for alumni to gather to enjoy
Taylor, adding that she and her family could students are admitted to UNC. both fellowship and enlightenment,” said
not have afforded it on their own. “It has There are more than 1,500 students tak- Bill Warren ’ 99, Davie Dinner co-chair.
provided me pretty much everything I’ve ing advantage of the Carolina Covenant this “When a UNC [alumnus] moves to the
needed — tuition, books, housing.” year, including 146 from Mecklenburg area, they can connect to the Alumni
Taylor, who is majoring in psychology, County and 121 from Wake. Association via the Davie Dinner.”
said she is doing well academically, even “We are so proud of all the scholarship Morgan said that she sees the scholarship
making the dean’s list, and she hopes one recipients and their accomplishments at program only getting bigger in Wake
day to earn a doctorate in clinical psychol- UNC and in the community,” said Danita County and the success of the Charlotte
ogy. She is looking at grant opportunities Morgan ’ 81, the Wake club’s leader, who and Wake County clubs will spur other
and part-time jobs to further her education. added that all four of its most recent recipi- clubs to start scholarships or further develop
Thorp, who met Taylor during the ents made the dean’s list. their efforts. ■
reception, said that getting, keeping and The money for the scholarships was
— Clifton Barnes ’ 82
